App Profile: On the Canals

The NYS Canal Corporation has a new way to make it easier for boaters to travel through its lock and lift bridges and record information on boats using those facilities.

After downloading the free app, the user creates a one-time account for their boat or for multiple boats. As they travel the waterways, and if their location service is activated (recommended) on their smartphone, they will be alerted when approaching one of the six pilot facilities and asked if they would like to transit the facility.

If the user clicks yes, a message is sent to the facility (lock or lift bridge) operator alerting them to a boater requesting to pass through the lock or lift bridge. The operator acknowledges the request and prepares the facility for passage.

Once a boater passes through the facility, the boat’s information (time of transit, length, registration number, type of boat, etc.) is added to the Canals data system removing the manual steps previously used to record a passage. No personal data is recorded.